Three games at St James’ Park in just under two weeks? I could get used to this, especially when we keep on winning!
In fact, Eddie Howe bidding to become the first Newcastle United boss since the great Sir Bobby Robson to make it SIX home wins on the trot.
I’m sure everyone will agree that Sunday’s win over Leicester meant we are now safe. After all, we’re now 12 points clear of third bottom Burnley and finally looking up, knowing a win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night could send us into the top 10 if results elsewhere go our way!
Considering the position we were in and the fact no team in Premier League history has EVER avoided relegation after failing to win any of their opening 14 games, it is really quite remarkable.
Palace won’t make it easy. They have done superbly under Patrick Vieira this season and have good players all over the pitch. Mitchell has been a revelation at left-back, their centre- back pairing of Andersen and Guehi is one of the best in the bottom half, Gallagher is a future star they’re lucky to have in midfield and the likes of Olise and Zaha are capable of match-winning moments of brilliance in attack.
Saying that, they could arrive tired and deflated after their biggest game of the season ended in defeat on Sunday, losing 2-0 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.
Hopefully they have one eye on the beach and we want it that bit more, knowing an unlikely top 10 finish might just be possible if we can continue our winning streak at St James’ Park!
Team news
Ryan Fraser (hamstring) looks set for another scan and has been ruled out alongside Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson.
Joe Willock will be pushing for a return to our starting XI after his brilliant run helped set up Bruno Guimaraes’ 95th minute winner over Leicester, although it’s hard to say who’d drop out of midfield if he does!
For the Eagles, Luka Milivojević looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury, but Michael Olise is back in contention after he made his comeback from a foot injury from the bench at Wembley.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey, Willock – Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
Martin Dubravka – Had so little to do against Leicester but will be keen to add another clean sheet to his tally this time.
Emil Krafth – If it wasn’t for Guimaraes’ brace, he might’ve come away with the man of the match award on Sunday. While Trippier is out, it seems he’s now Howe’s No 1 choice at right-back and deservedly so. He was ill last week, however, so hopefully he’s fully recovered.
Fabian Schar – I keep wondering when Howe will give Lascelles a chance, but it’s hard to see him splitting up Schar and Burn, especially when the former helps us get on the front foot at home.
Dan Burn – Another solid display on Sunday, with him recovering from an awkward clash with Dubravka in the opening stages.
Matt Targett – Was one of several unsung heroes over the weekend, defending well and playing a lovely ball down the line for Willock to help set up our stoppage time winner. Will be keen to keep impressing to make sure he lands a permanent move in the summer!
Bruno Guimaraes – Has looked every bit a £35m player and Brazilian international in his last two home starts, not only scoring twice but showing his quality on and off the ball.
Jonjo Shelvey – Had a quiet game in some respects against Leicester, yet it proved how much he’s worked on the ugly side of football, with his closing down and breaking up of play helping us get over the line.
Joe Willock – I may be wrong, but Joelinton has looked a shade below his best over the past few weeks, so this could be the night where Howe gives Willock a start; especially when he had such a positive impact from the bench on Sunday.
Miguel Almiron – Ran himself into the ground over the weekend and showed flashes of South American flare on the ball, even if his end product remains a problem. While Fraser remains out, he looks likely to keep his place as Murphy did little to impress during his short cameo.
Allan Saint-Maximin – Needs a goal for his confidence and could get some joy in this one, with Palace’s right-back options (Clyne and Ward) both likely to be left for dead by the Frenchman. Really hope the ASM we all know and love turns up here!
Chris Wood – Was taken off in the 69th minute against the Foxes in a game he struggled to get into. However, he still gives us the focal point up top and does the dirty work so well, so I’d be surprised if Gayle – who looked bright from the bench on Sunday – gets a rare start instead.
Predicted Palace XI (4-2-3-1): Guaita – Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell – Kouyate, Schlupp – Ayew, Gallagher, Zaha – Mateta.
Match prediction
I’d love to see us make it six wins in a row on Tyneside, however I can see this being a score draw.
Zaha and Saint-Maximin to both get on the scoresheet and Gallagher to give as good as he gets against Guimaraes in midfield!
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Crystal Palace
You really think Willock will be in for Big Joe, Olly? I thought it might be an unchanged team but now I reckon Murphy for Miggy. So:
Dubs
Krafth Schar BDB Targett
Shelvey Bruno Joelinton
Murphy Wood ASM
Just about to watch Red Bindippers against Mancs. I dont care too much for either but a 6 nil win for the Merseysiders would be funny!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Luiz Diaz is going to be a superstar.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Pogba injured and off!!! I didnt realise he was on the pitch. Most overrated player in history.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Actually, Pogba is equal with Jack Wilshere in the overrated stakes.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Man U are fcn shyte. C’mon Red bindippers – get at least 4.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
40 mins – the gulf in class between Liverpool and Man U is amazing.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
You know who could still affect the title race? NEWCASTLE UNITED. They both have to play us.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
A touch of class from both sets of fans towards Ronaldo last night though – some things are bigger than football – even when you are one of the greatest footballers even to have played the game.
I wonder if his missus has had difficulty carrying them through the pregnancy & that’s been on his mind these last few months.
I can’t imagine the emotion of joy at the birth of one child & grief of losing its twin – then being the most talked about footballer on the planet at the same time.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly has spotted the dangermen in Zaha and Gallagher. We have to shut them down which is why I think we should flood the midfield. I cannot see us keeping a clean sheet this time but we also have to try to take the game to them and we have the players to do it. But they are not the Iniesta-Xavi-Messi Barcelona so we shouldnt be too scared and they are only, what, 3 points above us?
If we can somehow stop Zaha getting a penalty I think we might just nick it in a close game.
So, 2-1 NUFC.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
How is Ibiza Sharpy. I thought that is a party island and you are a family man 🙂 I went to Ios years ago which is another party island but went in the offseason to avoid that stuff. There were still drinking games going on on the beach at 11am.
I am going to Florence in a couple of weeks. It is a deliberate plan to try to take advantage of covid. These historic cities are normally flooded with American and Chinese tourists in the high season, but I figured covid might stop some of them travelling. Italy doesnt lift their restrictions until May 1 so I think my “cunning plan” might work.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
There’s a suggestion that Ivan Toney could cost £30m – I held off saying ‘only cost’ coz I’m not sure how much of a bargain that fee is or not?!.
He’s 26yrs and scored 14 goals this season – which I think is excellent for a newly promoted club.
But would he be a good buy for NUFC?.
Young Diaz is available from Bburn – and I think he’s on a free as well – would he be the signing to make?!.
He’s scored for fun in a mid table championship side & scores regular for Chile too. Signing him would put South American eyes on the club as well so could be good for future signings.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It was my party Island of choice about 20yrs ago mate, but it also has a chill out feel to it too – there’s a yoga retreat at the hotel we are staying at ? (we knew nowt about that). We are NE of the island and San Antonio is SW where all the clubs are – but it’s still off season really.
We leave early tomorrow morning though. Nice break thanks mate, the wife in particular needed it as she’s a home worker now & been feeling a bit like a prisoner in her own home.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I generally like G Nev, but I’m bored of hearing him keep blaming the Glazers for Man Utd’s plight.
They may take £25m out of the club – but they have also spent as much as any other club on players … and will again in the summer.
Ed Woodward coped the blame til he was forced out the club after fans attacked his home.
They recruit the wrong players – and for far too much more. Prime example – Sancho when the player they should have signed was Rice. He’s the character they need in there & they’d have been better off with him. But Sancho probably sold more shirts & they thought they done City over taking one of their former players ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
The Man U stuff is pretty funny. I watched some after game stuff and all of their Ex players are going mental – the usual suspects like Keane, Scholes, Ferdinand.
But also Liverpool players. McManamamanamanan. I watched him and he went on about how Liverpooool are “great arnt we” for only 10 % of the time. Then he talked about Man U and how a great club were just a total mess. Not in a disparaging way. It was more like feeling sorry for them.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Hope Manure drop like a stone and we leave them in our dust, their fans have been spoilt and need to realize they are not the only team in the PL.
KIMTOON(Quote)
It is an unchanged team.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
oh good chance
KIMTOON(Quote)
Commentator over here is doing a bit of a stat attack, so here are a couple.
Only 4 teams have ever gone the 1st 14 games without a win and the other 3 were relegated.
NUFC only won 1 of the 1st 20 PL games and have won 8 of the last 12.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
What a brilliant goal !!!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Miggy is up for it tonight. He looks like the player he was for Atlanta in MLS.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Where’s he been????. This looks like the Miggy we thought we signed ?.
He & Bruno have a great understanding & it shows how good Bruno is when players around him play better for him being there – Miggy has played himself back into the squad in the last few games like.
We are such a good team at home now like. What a weird 2 halves of a season
Sharpy17(Quote)
Blue Bindippers losing at HT.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Well that was an amazing first half and what a goal from Miggy with a fantastic assist from the man Bruno! Really exciting stuff to watch. Maxi very frustrating once again! Who is the guy wearing Shelvey’s shirt? He’s running all over! ?. More of the same please in second half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Excellent first half, well done Miggy, more of the same second half please lads.
Oh and Toffees losing so far.
KIMTOON(Quote)
oh dear Joe 😳
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bloody toffees just equalized in added time 👿
And it’s a win for us 40 points
KIMTOON(Quote)
What a win! That second half was very scrappy and nervy but we did it! 6 home wins in a row for the first time since sir Bobby.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
2004 Gilly. Last time we had 6 straight home wins.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Palace pushed us hard in the 2nd half. Every one of our players fought like lions though. I would probably give Schar Man of the Match.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Or maybe Krafth was MOTM. He kept Zaha quiet and didnt give a penalty away. That was my main worry from Palace and Zaha.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I’m getting vertigo were climbing that high now 11th , what a job Eddie’s done, total transformation.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Eric, Krafth should of really got it in last game as his last few games he’s been brilliant but Bruno nicked it. Targett was very good tonight.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Chris Wood worked his socks off as well. I am fed up with certain youtubers giving him stick. He was brought in to do a job and we know he will be a sub next year.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Hope they don’t put their flip flops on now, we need to get as high a finish as possible.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon: what I want is more points and a higher finish than last season. I really want to celebrate success but p!ssing off the Bruce acolytes would make it even sweeter. Simon Jordan thinks Eddie will be gone by the end of next season.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
The owners were there tonight as well.
I’m truly blown away by the job Howe has done. I had confidence he could save us from relegation this season & thought he was a good appointment.
But the fact we could end up with a top 10 finish is really quite extraordinary imo.
Because of what Pep & Klopp are doing this season I don’t think he’ll get manager of the season – but him & Moyes would be my 2 shouts – especially if WHU win the Europa.
Howe has been outstanding!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
This is madness. Since Xmas we should have beat Man U, Everton and Chelsea.
I admit that today a draw was probably fair and the same for Soton and Brighton, but we are a different team now. And it is not just about the new players.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: as soon as I watched that documentary Minus 17 about him saving Bournemouth from going out of the football league I felt confident. I know you have watched it as well.
Whoever wins the PL should get Manager of the Season this year as City and Liverpool are the best teams in the world going head to head.
Eddie should be 3rd though.
Eddie got B’mth from bottom of the football league to the PL FFS. There was also a wrong goal line decision that got B’mth relegated and kept Villa up so he really shouldnt have a relegation on his CV.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Its over a season Eric. Cant put it down to one decision. There will have been many over the season, both ways. They went down because they didn’t get the points, End of.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Well done Burnley
KIMTOON(Quote)